North Korean Government Not Pleased With Seth Rogen and James Franco

It’s hard not to feel a little awkward after watching the trailer for Seth Rogen and James Franco’s upcoming film The Interview. After all, it IS about killing North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, a real person who’s still very much alive.

But while we may all have our political differences, it would be pretty understandable to see why North Korean officials are angry with the film’s story.

“There is a special irony in this storyline as it shows the desperation of the US government and American society,” said Kim Myong-chol, executive director of the Centre for North Korea–U.S. Peace and an “unofficial spokesman for the regime in Pyongyang,” in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.

“A film about the assassination of a foreign leader mirrors what the US has done in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine,” he added. “And let us not forget who killed [President John F.] Kennedy – Americans.”

“In fact, President [Barack] Obama should be careful in case the US military wants to kill him as well.”

Kim went on to say that American films are “full of assassinations and executions.” British films on the other hand, are much better and more realistic.

“James Bond is a good character and those films are much more enjoyable,” he said.

It’s completely understandable to see why some North Koreans would be upset by The Interview. In the film, Franco and Rogen play two television hosts who land an interview with Kim (played by Korean-American Randall Park), prompting the CIA to recruit the two as assassins.

It’s awkward and an extremely touchy topic for a comedy film, especially when many people don’t know much about North Korea as a country. Mocking it will only fuel more animosity towards the nation.

Check our the film’s trailer and see what you think about it!

Samantha Lui is a writer living in Toronto. When she isn't writing, shooting videos or interviewing people, she can be found alone at the movie theater. You can follow her on Twitter (@samanthalui_) or find out more on her site samanthalui.ca.